Selecting a Rose Court, 15 Seconds at a Time

Hundreds of local young women applied to become members of the Tournament of Roses Rose Court and ride in the 2027 Rose Parade during interviews held Sept. 5, 2027 at Tournament House [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Former Rose Court members at the orientation before interviews of applicants for the 2027 Rose Court conducted Sept. 5, 2027 at Tournament House [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

A young applicant during her 15-second interview before the Tournament of Roses Queen and Court Committee on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

Her impression made, the die cast, a young applicant walks from her 15-second interview before the Tournament of Roses Queen and Court Committee on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. [Paul Takizawa / Pasadena Now]

On Saturday, the lawns and colonnades of Tournament House filled with young women in dresses, heels tapping on the walkways, eagerly and nervously waiting their turn to speak. They had fifteen seconds each. Fifteen seconds to explain, to a panel they had just met, who they were and why they belong on the 2027 Rose Court.

“We really want to understand who they are in fifteen seconds — which isn’t easy,” said Tournament of Roses President Terry Madigan, a member of the organization for thirty-four years.

Madigan called Saturday’s session the fastest part of a process that will stretch across a month, narrowing hundreds of applicants down to seventy-five, then twenty-five finalists, and finally to the seven young women who will ride down Colorado Boulevard on January 1st, 2027.

There is no coaching beforehand, Madigan said. Applicants may meet with former Court members to learn what the role involves, but the interviews themselves are meant to be unrehearsed.

“For the most part, we just want them to be natural,” he said.

This year’s Rose Parade theme is “Welcome,” a word Madigan returned to more than once.

“It’s really about that sense of belonging, that sense of inclusion,” he said, something he has felt for over three decades in the organization and hopes the incoming Court will feel too.

Among Saturday’s applicants was Cheyenne, a student at Maranatha High School, who called the day “a blessing in disguise” and said she was thrilled to meet the other young women competing alongside her. Megan, from Mayfield Senior School, described herself simply as “super excited.” Madison, of Arcadia High School, said she was relieved just to have made it through.

“Today’s going to be a good day,” she said, “and I’m just happy that I got through the process.”

Any qualified applicant who missed Saturday’s interviews has another chance. A second round will be held Tuesday at Tournament House, from 3 to 6 p.m., after school lets out.

The seven finalists chosen this fall will each receive a $7,500 educational scholarship and will spend the coming year as ambassadors for the Tournament of Roses, the city of Pasadena, and the greater Los Angeles region. Eligibility details are available right here.